NSW Police recruit rugby league stars in fight against gang violence in western Sydney

A number of NSW State of Origin stars, as well as dual international Sonny Bill Williams, have teamed up with the NSW police force to end postcode wars in western Sydney.

NSW Police will recruit up to four State of Origin stars – and former NRL champion Sonny Bill Williams – to target the ugly postcode wars in Sydney’s west.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that the NSW Police Force’s Youth Command has already drafted Blues and Parramatta prop Junior Paulo into the campaign and have started discussions about NSW and Penrith players Brian To’o, Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary.

And Williams – one of the finest rugby league and rugby union players of the modern era – will also sign up.

The campaign is still being formulated with additional details to be announced in mid-August when Penrith play Melbourne at Bluebet Stadium.

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NSW star Junior Paulo has already joined the campaign. Picture NRL photos

It is hoped the respect and influence Paulo, Cleary, To’o, Luai and Williams have in Sydney’s west can help ease increasing violence between street gangs.

Paulo, Cleary, To’o and Luai are preparing for Sunday’s State of Origin match at what should be a 60,000 sellout at Optus Stadium, Perth.

“We want to highlight this and make it a topic we can address and speak about,” Paulo said.

“Those guys (three Penrith players) are massive role models within the Mt Druitt area and with the presence that Sonny brings, the role model that he is, they are people everyone will be willing to follow.

“You want to be that role model and you want to encourage the youth coming through and give them a sense of direction in life, to steer them down the right path.

“We are fortunate enough to be the vehicle to drive the message that we want, especially when it’s in our areas and so close to home.

Sonny Bill Williams will sign up. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Rugby league is such a culturally diverse game so there are plenty of role models who are able to speak facts to the youth. This (postcode wars) is something that has been going on for years but we are now starting to shine some light on it. It has been swept under the rug and nothing’s been done.”

It is understood the platforms used in the campaign will involve social media and videos to help influence youth behaviour. The players are also expected to visit local schools. Paulo immediately agreed to help – and doesn’t want to be paid.

To’o, from Westmead, and St Mary’s Luai are proud ‘westies’, as is Paulo, who played junior footy at Ashcroft and Cabramatta.

“Junior has grown into a real model. That islander community in particular gravitates to him so if there’s anything who is able to help turn some of those kids away from the path they’re taking, it’s Junior,” said Paulo’s manager, Sam Ayoub.

Penrith stars are set to join the campaign. Picture:Ashley Feder/Getty Images

“It’s a credit to him that we have been approached by NSW Police to play a part with them in what they are trying to do in Sydney’s west.

“Junior has so much respect, he is held in such high esteem. I’m very proud of the man he has become, to be honest.”

Paulo has extricated himself from socialising with bikies.

In May, 2016, Paulo was photographed with senior bikie Paulie Younan, along with fellow NRL players Corey Norman and James Segeyaro. At the time, NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said it was “a bad look for the game.”

“He was still young back then. They thought they were bulletproof,” Ayoub said. “He got married, had a family and settled right down. He went to Canberra and that was a good thing getting away from that environment.”

Raiders CEO Don Furner added: “Junior had been in a bit of trouble back then but he was fantastic down here at Canberra. We didn’t want to see him go, he fitted in really well. We’d have him back in a heartbeat.”